South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is considered one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. In her 16-year tenure, she guided the Gamecocks to dominate their conference, earning eight regular season and tournament titles in the SEC while also leading them to three NCAA national championships.

Staley, whose latest contract extension with USC was signed in 2021, is one of the highest-paid coaches in women’s college basketball. According to the contract, Staley is set to earn $3.2 million for the 2024–25 season.

Dawn Staley signed a new contract with South Carolina in 2021Dawn Staley signed a new contract with South Carolina in 2021 (Image Credits: Gamecockswbb/ Instagram)

Here is the salary breakdown:

Contract signed: 2021
Term: 7 years (Through 2027-28 season)
Base Salary: $1 million

Outside her base salary, Dawn Staley also benefits substantially from other compensations. For the 2024–25 season, she will receive outside compensation of $2.2 million. Furthermore, her contract stipulates a yearly increase of $100,000.

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Additionally, Staley’s contract has big bonuses based on performance. These bonuses include winning SEC regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA Tournament and getting Coach of the Year awards.

In the event that the Gamecocks clinch a championship, her bonuses could soar to $680,000, bringing her earnings close, to $3.8 million.

Dawn Staley earnings with compensation by year

2021-22: $2.9 million
2022-23: $3 million
2023-24: $3.1 million
2024-25: $3.2 million
2025-26: $3.3 million
2026-27: $3.4 million
2027-28: $3.5 million

Dawn Staley contract bonuses breakdown

Besides her regular earnings from her contract, Dawn Staley can make additional money by meeting certain performance incentives. Her bonuses are divided into five parts: SEC regular season, SEC championships, NCAA Tournament, Coach of the Year awards and Top 25 rankings.

SEC Regular Season

Staley will receive $15,000 if she manages to win at least 11 games out of 16 in the SEC regular season. South Carolina made a clean sweep last season, winning all 16 games.

SEC Championships

Dawn Staley can get the highest bonus from these options:

$75,000: SEC regular season win
$50,000: SEC Tournament win
$100,000: Winning both

NCAA Tournament

Staley gets incentives for reaching each round of the NCAA Tournament.

$25,000: Qualifying for the NCAA Tournament
$50,000: NCAA Sweet 16 appearance
$100,000: NCAA Elite Eight appearance
$250,000: NCAA Final Four appearance
$500,000: Winning the NCAA National Championship

Coach of the Year

Staley also receives extra earnings if she is named the conference or national coach of the year.

$25,000: National Coach of the Year by AP, Naismith Award or both.
$25,000: SEC coach of the year